Skip to main content

Transgender Mental Health Resources

Our guide outlines the mental health care challenges faced by trans and gender-diverse youth and adults, and provides helpful resources.

by
Last updated: Aug 5th, 2025

Jump to

Mental health challenges often faced by TGD people
Intersectional mental health needs
Gender-affirming and mental health care
Know your rights: navigating systems of care in 2025
Resources for trans and gender-diverse people
Sources
image of transgender flag

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals in the U.S. face persistent and disproportionate mental health challenges. According to the 2024 National Survey conducted by The Trevor Project (a nonprofit organization focused on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ young people), 90% of respondents said their mental health was negatively impacted by recent politics, yet only half of those who sought mental health care were able to access it. These disparities stem from systemic discrimination, targeted policies, stigma, and barriers to affirming care.

In 2025, these issues have intensified due to policy rollbacks, including bans on youth gender-affirming care and legal pressure on providers — worsening psychological distress and further restricting access to care.

Our guide offers an up-to-date overview of the TGD mental health landscape in 2025. We address common and intersectional challenges, analyze the impact of recent laws, and provide resources for accessing affirming care, navigating insurance, and understanding your rights.

Editor’s Note: We use the term transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) to reflect the full spectrum of gender identities and expressions — including, but not limited to, trans men, trans women, nonbinary, genderqueer, agender, bigender, and two-spirit people. This terminology aligns with global health standards from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

Additionally, it’s important to note that certain topics in this guide may be triggering to some readers, including discrimination, sexual assault, substance use, violent assault, suicide, self-harm, and trauma.

Jump to

Jump to:

Mental health challenges often faced by TGD people

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals experience disproportionately high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality, driven by chronic exposure to systemic discrimination, social marginalization, and structural barriers to affirming care.

A 2023 German study found that 33.3% of transgender adults met criteria for depression and 29.6% for anxiety — well above general population rates. Poor mental health was most strongly associated with unemployment, chronic illness, and limited access to affirming care. Broader research links structural stigma, health care barriers, and social rejection to these disparities, particularly among trans youth, who show significantly higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation than their cisgender peers.

Data from the United States reflect a similarly stark picture, which we explore in the following sections.

Anxiety and depression

According to The Trevor Project, which surveyed over 28,000 LGBTQIA+ young people aged 13 to 24, around 70% of transgender and nonbinary youth reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety, and 60% reported symptoms of depression. These rates are more than ten times higher than the U.S. adult general population average, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Suicide and self-harm

The same report from The Trevor Project revealed that half of trans and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, and nearly 20% attempted it. Additionally, LGBTQIA+ young people report significantly higher rates of self-injurious behaviors compared to their straight and cisgender peers. And, although self-injury doesn’t always indicate suicidal intent, it does increase the risk.

TGD adults, too, experience elevated risks of suicide and self-harm driven by factors such as chronic misgendering, workplace discrimination, housing insecurity, and the inability to access gender-affirming health care. Researchers from the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law found that 81% of transgender adults in the U.S. have thought about suicide, 42% have attempted, and 56% have engaged in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).

Gender dysphoria and chronic stress

While not all TGD individuals experience gender dysphoria, many report significant distress related to a disconnect between their gender identity and their physical appearance, legal documentation, or the way others perceive them. The daily stress of misgendering, navigating incorrect identification, or living in a body that feels incongruent can result in chronic anxiety and depression.

Studies continue to demonstrate that access to gender-affirming care — including hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and surgeries — is associated with substantial reductions in depression, anxiety, and suicidality. These benefits are particularly strong when care is delivered in an affirming and supportive environment.

Emotional labor of disclosure

Coming out and asserting one's identity — whether at work, in health care settings, or within families — often entails significant emotional labor. Many TGD people must repeatedly self-advocate, educate others, and manage the risk of rejection or hostility. This constant vigilance contributes to “minority stress,” a well-documented phenomenon describing the cumulative psychological toll of social stigma on marginalized groups.

Family rejection and isolation

Support from family and caregivers is one of the strongest protective factors against mental health struggles. However, only 38% of transgender youth live in affirming households, according to The Trevor Project. Those who are rejected by their families are more likely to report depression, substance use, and suicidal thoughts.

Political climate and structural harm

In 2025, the mental health burden on transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) communities has worsened due to sweeping rollbacks to legal recognition, health care access, and civil rights.

  • Executive Order 14168 redefined “sex” in federal law as strictly “biological,” disregarding intersex realities and the spectrum of human sex and gender.
  • Executive Order 14187 banned gender-affirming care for minors nationwide, leading major institutions like Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Stanford Medicine to suspend services amid threats to federal funding.
  • The Department of Justice has also subpoenaed over 20 clinics, fueling legal intimidation and distress among providers and families.
  • At the state level, lawmakers introduced nearly 950 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in 2025 alone, with over 100 signed into law. At least 25 states now ban or severely restrict gender-affirming care for minors — some criminalizing supportive parents, cutting off Medicaid coverage, or mandating that providers report patients to state authorities.

A growing body of research links these policies to rising rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma among TGD people. In states with hostile laws, trans individuals are more likely to avoid medical or mental health care out of fear of discrimination, outing, or prosecution. Legal uncertainty, provider withdrawal, and systemic stigma continue to drive the chronic stress at the root of poor mental health outcomes in trans communities.

Intersectional mental health needs

While many core mental health challenges are common among TGD people, certain groups may experience unique or compounded concerns based on their age, race, income, location, or other intersecting identities, which can intensify stigma and limit access to care. This section highlights some key populations within the TGD community whose mental health needs are especially affected by structural inequities.

Youth

TGD youth face disproportionately high rates of psychological distress. According to The Trevor Project, almost half of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. Another study found that trans youth in affirming school environments were significantly less likely to attempt suicide. Yet access to such environments remains limited, particularly in states with policies targeting LGBTQIA+ students.

Seniors

Aging TGD adults often experience social isolation, chronic illness, and fear of mistreatment in eldercare facilities. Many came of age before widespread LGBTQIA+ rights and are now aging without family support or financial security. Research has found that older TGD adults face elevated risks of depression and anxiety, and they often delay seeking care due to fear of discrimination.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)

Transgender and gender-diverse BIPOC individuals often experience additional challenges due to the intersection of racism and transphobia. For example, a 2014 study found that women of color were significantly more likely to experience depression and PTSD linked to violence and social marginalization.

Immigrants and asylum seekers

Internationally, LGBTQIA+ migrants — particularly trans asylum seekers — often flee persecution, yet only around 37 countries explicitly recognize sexual orientation or gender identity as valid grounds for asylum; this leaves many TGD individuals navigating unclear or hostile systems and severely limits their access to protection and safety.

Athletes

TGD athletes face growing restrictions on school and college sports participation. As of 2025, over 20 states have active bans, which experts link to declines in mental health, school engagement, and self-esteem. These policies are especially harmful to youth, who may feel excluded or erased.

Veterans

TGD veterans face high rates of PTSD, discrimination in VA services, and lingering trauma from military policies that may have excluded or outed them. A study found that trans veterans were more likely than cisgender veterans to experience depression, suicidal ideation, and housing instability.

TGD people with disabilities

Transgender people with disabilities face significantly higher odds of experiencing unmet health care needs — including difficulty seeing doctors, obtaining prescriptions, and accessing dental or specialist care — compared to cisgender disabled people, even when insured.

Low-income TGD people

Economic insecurity is strongly correlated with poor mental health. A survey found that 29% of trans adults lived in poverty — twice the national average. A population-based study found that transgender adults — particularly transgender men and nonbinary individuals — faced significantly higher rates of poverty, disability, and poor physical and mental health compared to cisgender peers, highlighting urgent disparities across subgroups.

TGD people in rural areas

Geography plays a major role in health care access. TGD people in rural areas frequently face provider shortages, long travel times to clinics, and community stigma. Some rural trans individuals must travel several hours to access hormone therapy or mental health services, creating logistical and financial burdens.

Religious TGD individuals

TGD people who belong to religious communities may experience spiritual conflict, identity suppression, or outright rejection by their faith traditions. These tensions can contribute to internalized stigma, spiritual trauma, and mental health challenges.

Formerly incarcerated TGD people

TGD individuals are overrepresented in the criminal justice system and often face abuse, misgendering, and denial of medical care in prison. The trauma of incarceration — including solitary confinement and sexual violence — can leave lasting psychological harm. Upon release, formerly incarcerated TGD people may face housing discrimination, employment barriers, and continued surveillance.

Sex workers

TGD sex workers — especially women of color — face increased risks of violence, criminalization, and poverty, often due to exclusion from formal employment and housing. These conditions are linked to high rates of PTSD, depression, and substance use. Stigma, criminalization, and rigid ID or criminal record policies often bar access to health care, housing, and social services, making many programs unsafe or inaccessible.

Gender-affirming and mental health care

Mental health support plays a vital role in the gender affirmation journey for many transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals — from early identity exploration to navigating social and medical transition. Yet in much of the U.S., providers still act as gatekeepers, especially where access to medical care requires psychiatric diagnoses or external approval.

This section outlines the main care models in 2025, how gender dysphoria is treated, and how access varies by location, insurance, and age.

What is gender dysphoria — and is it a mental health diagnosis?

Gender dysphoria is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as the clinically significant distress that results from incongruence between a person’s gender identity and the sex assigned to them at birth. However, it is not synonymous with being transgender. Many TGD people do not experience dysphoria, and those who do often report improvement once they begin transitioning or receive proper social support.

Nonetheless, under current insurance and legal systems, gender dysphoria is treated as a formal mental health diagnosis — and in many states and health care plans, a diagnosis remains a required step to access transition-related medical care. Insurance coverage for puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgeries often hinges on documented evidence of this diagnosis from a licensed provider.

The role of mental health in gender affirmation

Mental health care can offer more than just access to medical interventions. Affirming therapy supports TGD people through multiple facets of transition, including:

  • Exploring or clarifying gender identity
  • Managing gender dysphoria, trauma, or minority stress
  • Navigating family rejection, school dynamics, or workplace discrimination
  • Preparing for social transition or medical procedures
  • Securing documentation (e.g., letters of support for hormone therapy or surgery)

While therapists are still required to issue diagnostic letters in many systems, affirming providers can also play a deeply supportive role. For some, therapy is a place to heal from trauma or internalized stigma. For others, it’s a space to plan transition steps, find language for identity, or process complex feelings about safety and visibility.

Accessing gender-affirming care

In 2025, there is no single national standard for accessing gender-affirming care. Instead, access is shaped by a combination of state laws, insurance policies, clinic protocols, and political pressures — creating vastly different experiences depending on where you live, your age, and what kind of health care coverage you have. The structure of care typically falls into one of three models: informed consent, mental health-gatekeeping, or integrated care.

Informed-consent model

Adults working with providers in states like California, New York, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington can begin hormone therapy after a single consultation and signed consent without the requirement of a mental health diagnosis. This model, endorsed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), emphasizes autonomy and eliminates unnecessary psychiatric barriers.

Mental health-gatekeeping model

In states without robust trans health care protections — such as Florida, Texas, and many Southern or Midwestern states — patients are required to obtain a formal gender dysphoria diagnosis and letters from mental health professionals before receiving hormone therapy (i.e., gender-affirming hormone therapy) or surgery. This model often delays patients’ care and leads to psychological burden.

Integrated care model

In places like Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Philadelphia, hospital-based and LGBTQIA+ health clinics offer integrated gender health care — coordinated medical and mental health care within affirming, trauma-informed settings. In this care model, mental health support is available as a complementary service, not a gatekeeping requirement, and does not pose a barrier to receiving gender-affirming care.

Additionally, it’s important to cover how access to gender-affirming care differs between TGD adults and minors.

Adults

While many adults can still receive care through informed-consent and integrated models, rollbacks like the repeal of Section 1557 protections have made access harder. Insurers can now require psychiatric diagnoses or deny coverage outright. In some states like Arizona, Georgia, and Ohio, these changes have led multiple clinics to scale back informed-consent care, fearing funding loss or legal risk. As a result, many TGD adults now face longer waits, stricter evaluations, or full denial of care.

Minors

Currently, TGD youth face the most severe restrictions. As of mid-2025, 27 states in the U.S. have banned or limited gender-affirming care for minors — including puberty blockers and hormone therapy — with 19 states enforcing active all-age bans. Even in supportive states, some clinics have preemptively halted youth services due to escalating pressure. For example, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles closed its trans youth clinic, and Stanford suspended gender-affirming surgeries after receiving subpoenas.

Moreover, the Supreme Court’s June 2025 decision in Skrmetti v. Tennessee upheld state bans, which may accelerate gender-affirming care restrictions for minors nationwide.

Barriers to receiving care

Even when legal models like informed consent or integrated care are available, many TGD individuals still face practical and systemic barriers that can make access difficult or unsafe. In 2025, these challenges have intensified in the wake of coordinated efforts to restrict access to gender-affirming care. Some of the most notable barriers to care include:

Lack of affirming providers

Many mental health professionals lack adequate training in gender identity and the needs of trans clients. While some providers may approach care with good intentions, a lack of cultural competence can result in misgendering, invalidation, or inadvertently reinforcing stigma. These negative experiences contribute to early termination of therapy and worsening psychological outcomes.

Insurance denials and bureaucratic obstacles

Accessing gender‑affirming health care is often hindered by insurance barriers. Both hormone therapy and surgery frequently fall outside coverage. Many transgender individuals report avoiding prescriptions or accessing hormones outside of traditional care due to cost or lack of insurance support. These exclusionary policies are especially common in public insurance systems like Medicaid, where coverage limitations significantly increase out-of-pocket expenses for gender-affirming treatment.

Mistrust of medical systems

A long history of discrimination in health care has fostered widespread mistrust among transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Both direct and vicarious experiences, including misgendering, denial, and erasure, strongly predict avoidance of medical settings. Medical mistrust acts as a key pathway: exposure to discriminatory treatment increases mistrust, which in turn leads to avoidance of care — even during acute physical or mental health needs. Populations with intersecting marginalization report even more pronounced mistrust, due to compounded layers of stigma and anticipated mistreatment.

Geographic disparities in access

Where someone lives can dramatically shape their ability to access care. Urban areas are more likely to have LGBTQIA+ clinics, affirming providers, and specialized services. Rural areas, by contrast, often lack even one affirming mental health provider within a reasonable distance. Over 30% of transgender adults in rural states report needing to travel more than 75 miles to access gender-affirming services. In some states, legal bans have made such care inaccessible altogether, forcing residents to either travel across state lines or forgo care entirely.

Know your rights: navigating systems of care in 2025

Despite escalating threats and federal rollbacks, transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people in the U.S. still have important legal rights in health care. This section explains those rights, how they vary by state and insurance, and what you can do if care is denied, delayed, or discriminatory. While enforcement may be inconsistent, federal law continues to prohibit gender identity discrimination in most health care settings.

What you’re legally entitled to

The following breakdown covers what rights you’re legally entitled to, including those involving health care, discrimination, and more.

The right to access gender-affirming care

This includes mental health services, hormone therapy, and surgeries deemed medically necessary by your provider — not your insurer. While state laws vary, adults in many areas can still access care via informed consent models, telehealth, or out-of-state providers, even amid legal restrictions.

The right to equal treatment in health care settings

Health care providers cannot legally deny, delay, or offer substandard care because you are transgender or gender-diverse. This includes being addressed by your correct name and pronouns and having equal access to gender-affirming facilities like restrooms and hospital rooms.

Freedom from discriminatory insurance exclusions

Insurers cannot apply blanket bans on transition-related care or deny coverage for services they offer to cisgender patients (e.g., hormone therapy, breast reconstruction, or hysterectomy for non-trans reasons). Federal law prohibits plans from discriminating on the basis of gender identity in coverage decisions.

The right to privacy of your gender identity and medical records

Under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), health care providers and insurers are required to protect your private information. This includes your transgender status, gender dysphoria diagnosis, anatomy, or medical history. These details cannot be disclosed to others — including staff, family, or other patients — without your consent unless it is medically necessary. It is also your right to access and correct your own records.

The right to challenge denials and discrimination

If your care is denied, you can appeal the decision with your insurer, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, or contact legal support organizations. Many insurance denials for gender-affirming care are successfully overturned when challenged.

The right to make your own medical decisions

Hospitals and providers must recognize your medical decisions and — in the event that you can’t make those decisions — your chosen medical decision-makers, regardless of legal or biological relationship. You also have the right to designate visitors and should not be discriminated against based on gender identity in these decisions. This is protected under Medicare and Medicaid regulations and is reinforced by federal hospital visitation rules.

The right to be free from harassment and coercion

Federal civil rights law protects you from harassment, forced “conversion therapy,” or mistreatment in health care settings. Providers cannot attempt to change your gender identity or intimidate you for seeking affirming care.

The right to be protected from discrimination in schools

LGBTQIA+ students, including transgender and non-binary youth, are protected from discrimination in public schools under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. In Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that gender identity and sexual orientation are protected forms of sex discrimination. As a result, schools cannot legally harass, punish, or exclude students for being LGBTQIA+, for not conforming to gender stereotypes, or for transitioning.

Students also have First Amendment rights to free expression, which includes dressing in ways that reflect their gender identity, discussing LGBTQIA+ topics, and bringing same-sex dates to school events. Schools may not “out” students without their permission, and must take reasonable steps to prevent and address harassment. While protections may vary by state, federal courts increasingly uphold the right of transgender students to access restrooms and facilities aligned with their gender identity.

The right to use restrooms consistent with your gender identity

In many states and cities (e.g., California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and New York), transgender people are legally protected in their right to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. Many of these areas also require single-stall restrooms to be labeled as all-gender.

However, access is increasingly restricted elsewhere. As of 2025, criminal bans exist in Florida, Utah, and Kansas, where trans people can face charges for using restrooms that do not match their sex assigned at birth in public facilities. Broad bans in public schools and government buildings are enforced in Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, West Virginia, and Idaho. School-specific restrictions in states like Montana, Nebraska, and Indiana require students to use restrooms based on birth certificate sex. And policies in states like Mississippi and Wyoming further limit access in schools and public institutions.

While federal courts have often ruled in favor of gender identity-based access, enforcement varies. If your rights are violated, you may be able to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education or HHS, or seek legal help through organizations like Lambda Legal, the ACLU, or the Transgender Law Center.

The right to be free from workplace discrimination

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers with 15 or more employees are prohibited from discriminating based on sex — and the Supreme Court’s ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) clarified that this includes sexual orientation and gender identity. This means it is illegal for most employers to fire, refuse to hire, deny promotions, or otherwise mistreat you because you are LGBTQIA+.

Many states and cities also have stronger local laws that explicitly ban discrimination based on gender identity in employment. If you face discrimination at work, you have the right to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or seek support from legal organizations.

The right to update federal identity documents

As of 2025, a federal court injunction has temporarily restored access to nonbinary (“X”) gender markers on U.S. passports. Under current legal protections, you can still update your passport to reflect M, F, or X markers using self-attestation, provided you apply within the allowable legal window. These updates are free of charge.

Existing passports that already display an X marker remain valid until their expiration, even if future renewals may face scrutiny. You also retain the right to pursue legal name and gender marker changes on other federal and state-issued documents, including driver’s licenses, depending on your state’s specific laws. Interstate or inter-agency discrimination related to your documentation is prohibited under federal protections.

These rights remain in effect despite attempts to roll them back. However, because enforcement may vary, it’s essential to document your interactions, assert your rights, and seek legal assistance if you encounter barriers. The federal protections supporting your rights include:

  • The Affordable Care Act (ACA), specifically Section 1557, prohibits discrimination based on sex — which includes gender identity — in most health care programs that receive federal funding.
  • The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects the privacy of your personal health information.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may protect individuals with gender dysphoria under certain interpretations.
  • Medicare and Medicaid regulations ban many forms of anti-trans discrimination and have been used to challenge exclusions.

However, how well these rights are enforced depends on your state, your insurer, and the current federal administration, which has weakened nondiscrimination enforcement. Still, legal protections remain on the books, and you are not without recourse.

If you face discrimination or denial of care

You have multiple options if your rights are violated, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • File an appeal with your insurance provider: If your transition-related care is denied, request a formal reason and challenge the decision through internal appeals or state insurance boards.
  • Submit a federal complaint: The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights accepts complaints related to health care discrimination and HIPAA violations. You can also report privacy violations, refusal of care, or denial of services tied to your gender identity.
  • Contact a legal organization: Groups like Lambda Legal, Transgender Law Center, and A4TE’s Trans Health Project provide guidance and advocacy for those navigating health care discrimination. Some may be able to assist with appeals, complaints, or even legal action.

State-by-state care

In 2025, your ability to access gender-affirming care depends heavily on where you live. The legal landscape is fragmented, with "safe" states expanding protections while others enact bans or criminal penalties targeting trans people and their providers.

Safe States: California, New York, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Minnesota have enacted strong protections for transgender people. These states:

  • Uphold the right to gender-affirming care for both adults and minors
  • Protect health care providers from out-of-state prosecution
  • Offer state-funded insurance coverage for medically necessary gender-affirming procedures
  • Allow telehealth providers to treat out-of-state patients where legally possible

Hostile States: In Texas, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, and Alabama, gender-affirming care is restricted or criminalized — particularly for minors. These states’ laws often:

  • Ban or severely restrict access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgery for people under 18
  • Punish parents, teachers, or providers for affirming a child’s gender identity
  • Limit the ability of school staff to use affirming names or pronouns
  • Enable civil lawsuits or state investigations against clinics offering gender-affirming care

If you live in a hostile state:

Understanding insurance coverage

Insurance policies can be one of the biggest barriers — or tools — for accessing care. Here's how to understand your options and advocate for coverage.

Medicaid:

  • Coverage varies by state. Some states (like California, New York, and Oregon) cover most gender-affirming procedures. Others ban coverage outright or impose strict medical necessity criteria.
  • You can check your state’s Medicaid policy via the A4TE Trans Health Project.
  • It is illegal for Medicaid to categorically deny coverage for medically necessary transition-related care, though enforcement is uneven.

Private insurance:

  • Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), insurers cannot have blanket exclusions on gender-affirming care, but they may still try to deny coverage.
  • You may need to appeal a denial, request prior authorization, or submit medical documentation.
  • Common issues include denials for hormone therapy or surgery based on “cosmetic” classification, coverage denial due to mismatched gender markers, or age-based exclusions not aligned with WPATH standards.

Employer insurance:

  • Larger employers may offer more comprehensive coverage, especially in unionized or inclusive workplaces.
  • If your plan includes a discriminatory exclusion, you may be able to challenge it through your HR department or state labor board.

Helpful tools:

Finding an affirming provider

Not all providers understand trans health care, and some may actively harm or misgender patients. Finding affirming care is essential for your safety and mental wellbeing.

Affirming providers should generally:

  • Respect your name and pronouns without hesitation
  • Use inclusive intake forms (e.g., ask for gender identity, not just sex)
  • Understand informed consent and WPATH guidelines
  • Have experience with transition-related care or trauma-informed therapy

Resources for finding an affirming provider:

If you can’t find a local affirming provider:

  • Many therapists and clinics offer telehealth appointments, especially in states with protections for cross-border care.
  • You can try asking local LGBTQIA+ centers or mutual aid groups for referrals.
  • Consider reaching out to community-specific support networks.

Resources for trans and gender-diverse people

In the following sections, you’ll find links to resources for various needs — from legal support and mental health care to identity exploration and more.

I’m exploring my identity

I need mental or primary health care

I’m a trans youth or student

My child is trans

I’m a trans elder or senior

I’m a trans immigrant or asylum seeker

I’m a trans person with a disability

I’m a formerly incarcerated trans person

I’m a trans person in a rural area

I’m a trans sex worker

I’m a low-income trans person

I’m a trans veteran or in the military

I’m a trans athlete

I’m trans and BIPOC

83

Sources

Innerbody uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Kelton, K. (2024). Stigma and lack of access to quality healthcare in the transgender population. Journal of American Academy of Physician Associates 37(12): p 38-41.

  2. Paley, A. (2021). Addressing the Flaws in our Mental Health Healthcare System Could Save Young LGBTQ Lives. Time Magazine.

  3. Trans Legislation Tracker. (2025). Anti-Trans Bill Tracker. Trans Legislation Tracker.

  4. World Health Organization. (2024). WHO development of a guideline on the health of trans and gender diverse people. WHO.

  5. World Health Organization. (2024). Update on the Guideline Development Group on the health of trans and gender diverse people. WHO.

  6. World Professional Association for Transgender Health. (n.d.). World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse People, Version 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). WPATH.

  7. Hajek, A., König, H.-H.. Blessmann, M., Grupp, K. (2023). Loneliness and Social Isolation among Transgender and Gender Diverse People. Healthcare, 11(10), 1517.

  8. Thoma, B., Salk, R., Choukas-Bradley, S., Goldstein, Tina., Levine, M., Marshall, M. (2019). Suicidality Disparities Between Transgender and Cisgender Adolescents. Pediatrics. 144.

  9. Newcomb, M. E., Hill, R., Buehler, K., Ryan, D. T., Whitton, S. W. (2019). High burden of mental health problems, substance use, violence, and related psychosocial factors in transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse youth and young adults. Arch Sex Behav 49, 645–659

  10. The Trevor Project. (2024). U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People. The Trevor Project.

  11. National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Mental Illness - Statistics. NIH.

  12. Jacobsen, K., Davis, C. E., Burchell, D., Rutherford, L., Lachowsky, N., Bauer, G., & Scheim, A. (2023). Misgendering and the health and wellbeing of nonbinary people in Canada. International Journal of Transgender Health, 25(4), 816–830.

  13. Office of the President. (2025). Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government. Executive Order 14168. White House.

  14. Office of the President. (2025). Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation. Executive Order 1418. White House.

  15. Ramos N., Marr M. C. (2023) Traumatic Stress and Resilience Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 32(4):667-682.

  16. Restar, A., Layland, E. K., Hughes ,L., Dusic, E, Lucas, R., Bambilla, A. J. K., Martin, A., Shook, A., Karrington, B., Schwarz, D., Shimkin, G., Grandberry, V., Xanadu, X., Streed, C. G. Jr., Operario, D., Gamarel, K. E., Kershaw, T. (2024) Antitrans Policy Environment and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Transgender and Nonbinary Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 1;7(8)

  17. Greytak, E. The Impacts of Anti-Transgender Laws and Policies. (2024) American Civil Liberties Union.

  18. Last, B. S., Tran, N. K., Lubensky, M. E., Obedin-Maliver, J., Lunn, M. R., Flentje, A. (2025) US State Policies and Mental Health Symptoms Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 8(5)

  19. Toomey, R. B., McGuire, J. K., Olson, K. R., Baams, L., & Fish, J. N. (2022). Gender-affirming policies support transgender and gender diverse youth’s health. Society for Research in Child Development.

  20. Fredriksen‑Goldsen, K. I., Cook‑Daniels, L., Kim, H. J., Erosheva, E. A., Emlet, C. A., Hoy‑Ellis, C. P. (2014). Physical and mental health of transgender older adults: An at‑risk and underserved population. The Gerontologist, 54(3), 488–498.

  21. Nuttbrock L., Bockting W., Rosenblum A., Hwahng S., Mason M., Macri M., Becker J. (2014). Gender Abuse and Major Depression Among Transgender Women: A Prospective Study of Vulnerability and Resilience. Am J Public Health, 104(11):2191–2198.

  22. Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. (n.d.). National Black Trans Advocacy Coalition. BTAC.

  23. TWOCC. (n.d.). Trans Women of Color Collective. TWOCC.

  24. Goldberg, S. K. (2023). LGBTQ+ Youth Report. Human Rights Campaign.

  25. TransAthlete Policies. (n.d.). Policies by Organization. TransAthlete.

  26. LAMBDA Legal. (n.d.). Defending our community. Lambda Legal.

  27. Blosnich, J. R., Marsiglio, M. C., Dichter, M. E., Gao, S., Gordon, A. J., Shipherd, J. C., Kauth, M. R., Brown, G. R., Fine, M. J. (2017). Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Medical Conditions Among Transgender Veterans. Am J Prev Med. 52(4):491-498.

  28. SPARTA-Pride. (n.d.) Resources. SPARTA.

  29. Transgender American Veterans Association. (n.d.). TAVA Speaks. TAVA.

  30. James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). Executive Summary of the Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. Washington, DC: National Center for Transgender Equality.

  31. Fredriksen Goldsen, K. I., Romanelli, M., Hoy-Ellis, C. P., Jung, H. (2022). Health, economic and social disparities among transgender women, transgender men and transgender nonbinary adults: Results from a population-based study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 4244.

  32. For the GWORLS. (n.d.). About Us. For the Gworls.

  33. Trans Justice Funding Project. (n.d.). Who We Are. TJFP.

  34. Mulcahy, A., Streed Jr, C.G., Wallisch, A.M., Batza, K., Kurth, N., Hall, J.P., McMaughan, D.J. (2022). Gender Identity, Disability, and Unmet Healthcare Needs among Disabled People Living in the Community in the United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 2895.

  35. Disability Rights, Education and Defense Fund. (n.d.). The latest from DREDF. DREDF.

  36. Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network. (n.d.). Guiding Principles. AWN.

  37. UN Women. (2024). In Search of Safety – LGBTIQ+ People on the Move. UN Women.

  38. Transgender Law Center. (n.d.). Legal Services. TLC.

  39. Immigration Equality. (n.d.). Direct Legal Services. Immigration Equality.

  40. Santoro, H. (2023). Transgender People in Rural America Struggle to Find Doctors Willing or Able To Provide Care. KFF Health News.

  41. Exline, J., Przeworski, A., Peterson, E. K., Turnamian, M. R., Stauner, N., Uzdines, A. (2025) Religious and Spiritual Struggles Among Trans Gender and Gender Non-Conforming Adults. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 13(3)

  42. The Trevor Project. (2023). Self-Injury and Its Relationship to Suicide Attempts Among LGBTQ Young People. The Trevor Project.

  43. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Self-Harm. SAMHSA.

  44. Tripathy, S., Negi, S., Udhaya, E., Beig, M. A., & Kumar, D. (2023). Health-Related Experiences, Needs, and Challenges of Transgender People in Prisons: A Systematic Review. The Prison Journal, 103(6), 812-836.

  45. Burns, K. (2018). The Dire Realities of Being a Trans Woman in a Men’s Prison. THEM.

  46. Black and Pink. (n.d.). Restore, Embolden, Amplify, Power, The R.E.A.P Program. Black and Pink.

  47. TGI Justice Program. (n.d.). Melenie Eleneke Grassroots ​Re-Entry/Socio-Economic Program. TGIJP.

  48. Nemoto T., Bödeker B., Iwamoto M. (2011). Social support, exposure to violence and transphobia, and correlates of depression among male-to-female transgender women with a history of sex work. American Journal of Public Health, 101(10), 1980–1988.

  49. Red Canary Song (n.d.). About. Red Canary Song.

  50. Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. (2023). More than 40% of transgender adults in the US have attempted suicide. UCLA.

  51. Carvalho, S.A., Forte, T., Manão, A.A. (2024) Clinicians’ Experiences in Transgender Healthcare: The Impact of Sexology Training on Roles, Challenges, and Solutions. Gend. Issues 42, 4

  52. Stroumsa, D., Crissman, H. P,, Dalton, V. K., Kolenic, G., Richardson, C. R. (2020) Insurance Coverage and Use of Hormones Among Transgender Respondents to a National Survey. Ann Fam Med. 18(6):528-534.

  53. Houssayni, S., Nilsen, K. (2018) Transgender Competent Provider: Identifying Transgender Health Needs, Health Disparities, and Health Coverage. Kans J Med. 11(1):1-18.

  54. Smout, S. A. (2022). Assessing Medical Discrimination, Mistrust, and Healthcare Engagement as Predictors of COVID-19 Vaccination among Transgender and Gender Diverse Individuals. Virginia Commonwealth University.

  55. Cooper, K., Russell, A., Mandy, W., & Butler, C. (2020). The phenomenology of gender dysphoria in adults: A systematic review and meta-synthesis. Clinical Psychology Review, 80, 101875.

  56. Movement Advancement Project. (2019). Where We Call Home: Transgender People in Rural America. Movement Advancement Project.

  57. Witt, E. (2025). Where do Trans-Kids go from here? The New Yorker.

  58. Monteil, A. (2025). Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Will Stop Providing Gender-Affirming Care to Trans Youths. THEM.

  59. The American Psychiatric Association (n.d.). What is Gender Dysmorphia? The American Psychiatric Association.

  60. World Professional Association for Transgender Health. (n.d.). Standards of Care. WPATH.

  61. Peele, C. (2024). Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Rule to Strengthen Affordable Care Act Protections, including Health Coverage for LGBTQ+ Americans. Human Rights Campaign.

  62. Dawson, L,m Sobel, L,m Pestaina, K., Kates, J., Artiga, S., Burns, A. (2024). The Biden Administration’s Final Rule on Section 1557 Non-Discrimination Regulations Under the ACA. KFF.

  63. Matsuno, E., Bricker, N. L., Collazo, E. N., Mohr, R., & Balsam, K. F. (2023). “The default is just going to be getting misgendered”: Minority stress experiences among nonbinary adults. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.

  64. Supreme Court of the United States. (2024). United States vs Skrmetti, Attorney General and Reporter for Tennessee et al. Supreme Court of the United States.

  65. Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America. (1996). Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). GovInfo.

  66. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Office for Civil Rights (OCR). HHS.

  67. Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Medicaid Federal Policy Guidance. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

  68. United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. (2025). Case 1-25-cv-10313. Orr et al vs Trump. ACLU.

  69. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). HHS – Section 1557: Protecting Individuals Against Sex Discrimination. HHS.

  70. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – Privacy Rule Overview. HHS.

  71. ADA. (n.d.). Americans with Disabilities Act Text & Regulations. U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

  72. CMS. (n.d.). Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR Title 42, Chapter IV): The complete codification of Medicare and Medicaid rules. CMS.

  73. A4TE. (n.d.). Trans Health Project. A4TE.

  74. Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America. (2009). Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 42 U.S.C. § 18001. Congress.gov.

  75. Out2Enroll. (n.d.). Navigating Health Insurance for Trans Communities. Out2Enroll.

  76. Tordoff, D. M., Wanta, J. W., Collin, A., Stepney, C., Inwards-Breland, D. J., & Ahrens, K. (2022). Mental health outcomes in transgender and nonbinary youths receiving gender-affirming care. JAMA Network Open, 5(2), e220978.

  77. Turban, J. L., King, D., Carswell, J. M., & Keuroghlian, A. S. (2020). Pubertal suppression for transgender youth and risk of suicidal ideation. Pediatrics, 145(2), e20191725.

  78. Chen, D., Berona, J., Chan, Y.-M., Ehrensaft, D., Garofalo, R., Hidalgo, M. A., Rosenthal, S. M., Tishelman, A. C., & Olson-Kennedy, J. (2023). Psychosocial functioning in transgender youth after 2 years of hormones. The New England Journal of Medicine, 388(3), 240–250.

  79. Puckett, J. A., Dyar, C., Maroney, M. R., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (2023). Daily experiences of minority stress and mental health in transgender and gender diverse individuals. Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science, 132(3), 340–350.

  80. United States. (1972). Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.

  81. American Civil Liberties Union. “U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Challenge to Title IX Victory for Transgender Rights.” ACLU of Indiana, Jan 16, 2024.

  82. Cornell Law School. (1964). Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. Cornell Law School.

  83. Supreme Court of the United States. (2020). Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, 590 U.S. 644. Supreme Court of the United States.